Girdle or like article of apparel



July 7, 1942'. H, M HERBENER 2,288,703

G IRDLE OR LIKE ARTICLE 0F lAPPAREL Filed Aug. l2, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dunn Henry M Herbl/Ler July 7, 1942. H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE OR LIKE ARTICLE OF APPAREL Filed Aug. 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A A A Patented Julyv, 1942 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE GntDLE on LIKE ARTICLE oF APPAREL Henry M. Herbener, Thomasville, Ga.

Application August 12, 1939, serial Nu. 289,921

6 Claims.

My invention relates to apparel.

An important object of the invention is to provide a fabric with a rib receiving pocket having a bottle neck leading into one end thereof, the bottle neck extending beyond the pocket so that the stitching of theedge of the fabric to a garment or the like may also close the bottle neck.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a band secured to a garment part, the pocket being shown in section, the section being taken in the plane of the pocket.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a body encircling garment embodying my-invention,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, A

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one of the horizontal pockets, parts in section,

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the horizontal ribs,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the horizontal rib,

Figure '1 is a' perspective view of a modied form of horizontal rib,

Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a girdle or the like embodying a further modification of 4 taken on line I--l0 of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of an elastic band embodying a further modification of my invention, parts in section, y

Figure 12 is a transverse section taken on line l |2--I2 of Figure 11.

In Figure 1, I have shown a slight modification of the elastic bands 36 of my prior Patent 2,136,742. As disclosed in my prior Patent 2,136,742, each pocket of the elastic band is woven closed at one end and provided with an opening near its opposite end which is shorter than the width of the pocket. By stretching the opening, the rib is introduced into the pocket and when the pocket is released, the opening contracts to its normal dimension and there are shoulders to hold the rib against displacement. In Figure 1,

the numeral 53 designates a Woven elastic band which is horizontally or longitudinally elastic and vertically non-elastic, and this band has spaced transverse Dockets 55 woven integral therewith. The opposite sides of each pocket are horizontally elastic and the spaces between the pockets are horizontally elastic. The band 55 may be formed of a Woven or knit material. One

(c1. 2 -as) end 56 of the pocket is woven closed, but the opposite end is provided with an opening 51 which is shorter than the width of the pocket to permit of the insertion of the rib 58 when the opening 51 is stretched. In Figure 1, the opening 51 is disposed at one vertical edge of the pocket, thus providing a more` pronounced shoulder 59, to positively hold the rib against `displacement through the opening 51. `The rib 58 is provided at its top and bottom with projections or teeth B0, adapted to firmly engage or bite into the fabric, whereby when the fabric and the pocket are horizontally stretched. the rib 58 will follow the stretching action to the left, Figure 1, moving the rib from over the opening 51, which may become elongated due to the stretching action, thereby preventing the rib from being displaced through the opening 51. The opening 51 is formed by a reduced portion or bottle neck 51', which may be closed by stitching 58'. also serving t0 attach the band to a girdle or the like. 'I'he stitching closes the opening of the bottle neck and the bottle neck has a substantial length so that the stitching will be spaced a substantial distance from the rib 58, so that there will be no liability of the needle striking the stiffening ribs when sewing the stitching 58'.

The body portion 2|! of the garment or girdle shown in Figure 2, is provided in its back with an opening or space covered by a panel 6I. This panel 6I is preferably highly vertically elastic but horizontally non-elastic. This panel is secured to the body portion 20 and to the band 22 by zig-zag stitching 62. The panel 6I extends from the lower band 22 to a point nearthe middle of the body portion 20, as shown. The panel 6l has horizontal pockets 63, Figures 3 and 4, preferably woven integral therewith and these pockets` are spaced. Since the panel 6I is vertically elastic, the .opposite sides of eachhorizontal pocket are vertically elastic and the spaces between the pockets are vertically elastic. If desired, the panel 6| may also be horizontally elastic. Arranged within each horizontal pocket 63 is a sti'lening rib 64, tensioned to lie at. The function of these stiiening ribs is to produce a flat effect in the back. In order that the free ends of the ribs 64, which tend to spring outwardly, as inward pressure or pull is applied to the panel 6I, may not produce bumps or unsightly projections, I arrange a companion rib 65 upon each rib 6l. The companion rib 55 is slighter than the rib 64 and therefore more flexible and resilient. The companion rib 65 has its ends extending outwardly beyond the ends of the ribs 64 for substantial distances and the ribs 64 and 66 are attached together at their centers, as shownat 66, while the free end of one rib is capable of moving longitudinally with relation to the free end of the other rib. When the pair of ribs 64 and 66 are inserted within each pocket 63, the longer rib 65 extends for substantially the entire length of the pocket. The pocket has an olf-set bottle neck 61, forming a reduced opening at one end of the pocket. 'Ihe opening is shorter than the width of the pocket but the bottle neck may be stretched sufiiciently to permit of the insertion of the rib. The bottle neck is closed by the line of stitching 62 and the function of the bottle neck is the same as that described in connection with the bottle neck of Figure 10. In the arrangement shown, the rib 66 is arranged at the outer side of the pocket or that side remote from the wearer. The rib 64 is tensioned so that its ends move from the wearer "and its ends will not inconvenience the wearer,

and these ends slidably engage behind the ends of the more exible rib 65, preventing the ends o1' the rib 64 producing the unsightly bumps, as explained. The panel 6| extends beyond the opposite ends of the pocket 63, for a short distance, for affording attaching flaps 66, receiving the stitching 62, and this 'stitching also passes through the bottle neck 61, to close the same. The combined ribs 64 and 65 afford a rib having increased iiexibility at its end. 4 In Figure 8, the body portion 26'of the girdle, is provided with an opening or space in its front, which is covered by a panel 61, which is preferably horizontally elastic but vertically nonelastic. This panel has elongated vertical pockets 66, woven integral therewith, said pockets having opposed sides 66. Near their ends, the pockets have enlarged portions 16 and 1| 'I'he top of the pocket 66 is closed, as shown at 12 and the lower end of the pocket 66 is provided with a bottle neck '13, similar to the bottle neck 61, Figure l. The bottle neck 13 is closed by the stitching which secures the panel 61 to the body portion 26.

The numeral 14 designates a suitably stiff elongated rib, engaging at its upper end a relatively short rib 16, and at its lower end a relatively short rib 16, the rib 14 being separate from the ribs 16 and 16 and adapted to partake of relative movement with respect thereto. The wide rib 15 is passed upwardly through the bottle neck 13 and through the enlarged portion 1|, through the pocket 66 into the enlarged portion 10. 'I'he rib 14 is passed through the bottle neck 13 and through the enlarged portion 1| into the pocket 66. The rib 16 is passed through the bottle neck 13 into the enlarged portion 1 After the ribs are positioned'in the various portions of the pocket, they are attached or cemented to the wall or side of the pocket. The upper rib 15 has its outer face coated with a cement or adhesive material, as shown at 11, from its upper end to a point 16 and this adhesive securely bonds the rib 15 to the outer wall of the enlarged pocket portion 16. The outer face of the rib 14 is coated with an adhesive, as indicated at 16, throughout its entire length, and this adhesive securely attaches or bonds the rib 14 to the outer side of the pocket 66 and to the outer sides of the inner portions of the enlarged pocket portions 10 and 1|. 'I'he lower rib 16 is coated with an adhesive, a's shown at 66, extending from its lower end to the point 6I, and this adhesive attaches or bonds the lower portion of the rib 16 to the outer side of the enlarged pocket portion 1| employed. I have found that satisfactory results are obtained by having the ribs first coated with Celluloid which is allowed to dry and after the ribs are positioned within the pocket, a solvent of the Celluloid coating is applied to the fabric, and will penetrate the fabric and act upon the Celluloid coating, rendering the same plastic so that it will adhere to\the outer side of the pocket and its portions. However, any

adhesive may be applied to the outer sides of` the ribs, and while the adhesive is preferably V applied to the outer sides of the ribs, it may be adhesive so that such overlapping portions are free to have relative angular movements.

The advantage of this construction is that contacting ribs 14 and 15 and 16 cannot become longitudinally displaced within their pockets nor -is there any considerable relative longitudinal movement between the rib 14 and the end ribs 15 and 16, but since these ribs contact without being directly connected, not being cemented together, they have relative angular or turning ymovement, somewhat as if they were pivotally or become angularly adjusted with respect to` the ribs 15 and 16.'

In Figure l1, I have shown a band 62, formed of woven elastic material andV longitudinally elastic and transversely inelastic. This band has spaced pockets 63 woven integral therewith. Each pocket has opposed sides 64 which are elastic. Each pocket is provided with a bottle neck 65 leading into the same, which is closed by a line of stitching 66, serving to attach the band to the article of apparel. Eachpo'cket hasa transverse web 61, integral .with the opposite sides 64 and connecting them. The web 61 is preferably in alignment with the bottle neck 65. The\ numeral 66 designates a U-shaped stiil'ening rib, adapted to be passed through the bottle neck 66. and having an opening 66 /to receive the web 61. 'I'he web 61 serves to prevent the displacement of the rib 66 longitudinally of the band 62, when the band is stretched.

In viewof the foregoing description it is apparent that the arrangement is such`that the ribs held within the pockets have a width greater than the width of the bottle necks and the ribs will have their ends held against displacement by the action of the elongated walls of the tubular bottle necks and the attaching flaps, which is that part of the fabric extending outwardly beyond the pockets, may be secured to a garment by a line of stitching spaced from the ribs.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the Any suitable form of adhesive may be.

formed closed and its opposite end provided with an elastic reduced bottle neck having a width smaller than the width of the pocket, the bottle neck forming a shoulder with the pocket, the fabric extending beyond one end of each pocket to form an attaching flap and the bottle neck being arranged near the free edge of the attaching fiap, a stiifening rib Within the pocket and having a width greater than the width of the bottle necka garment part arranged adjacent to the free edge of the attaching nap, and stitching securing the attaching flap to the garment part and also closing the bottle neck.

2. A section of fabric which is elastic in one direction and having spaced pockets formed iniegral therewith and arranged transversely of the direction of yield of the fabric, each pocket having opposed sides which are elastic in the direction of elasticity of the fabric, each pocket having one end closed and its opposite end spaced from the free edge of the fabric and provided with a reduced `bottle neck which is elastic, the bottle neck being off-set laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pocket and forming a shoulder therewith and extending to a point near the free edge of the fabric, the arrangement being such that when the free edge of the fabric is sewed to a garment part such sewing closes the bottle neck, and a rib for insertion within the pocket through the bottle neck and having prongs off-set laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rib, the prongs being adapted to engage with the end walls of the pocket.

3. A sheet of fabric which is elastic in one direction and is provided with a plurality of spaced pockets formed integral with the sheet for receiving stiifening ribs, the pockets extending transversely of the direction of yield of the fabric, the fabric extending beyond one end of the pockets to provide an attaching flap, and tubular bottle necks formed integral with the attaching flap andextending longitudinally of the pockets and leading into the ends of the pockets and having a width less than the width of the pockets for providing shoulders, the bottle necks having their free ends spaced from the ends of the pockets, the arrangement being such that the ribs to be held w-ithin the pockets and having a width greater than the width of the bottle necks will have their ends held against displacement by the action of the elongated walls of the tubular bottle necks and the attaching flap may be secured to a garment part by a line of stitching spaced from the ribs.

4. A sheet of fabric which is elastic in one direction and is provided with a plurality of spaced pockets formed integral with the fabric to receive stiffening ribs, the pockets extending transversely of the direction of yield of the fabric, the

fabric extending beyond one end of the pockets to provide an attaching flap, and tubular bottle necks formed integral with the attaching flap and arranged exteriorly of the pockets and extending longitudinally of the pockets and leading into the ends of the pockets and having a width less than the width of the pockets for providing shoulders, the tubular bottle necks having their free ends arranged near the free edge of the attaching flap, the arrangement being such that the ribs to be held within the pockets and having a width greaterthan the width of the bottle necks will have their ends held against displacement by the action of the longitudinal walls of the tubular bottle necks and theati-aching flap may be secured to a garment part by a line of stitching spaced from the ribs and also serving to close the bottle necks.

5. A sheet of fabric which is elastic in one direction and has a plurality of spaced pockets formed integral therewith, the pockets extending transversely of the direction of yield of the fabric, the fabric extending beyond the ends of the pockets, tubular bottle necks formed integralwith the extension of the fabric and disposed transversely of the direction of yield of the fabric and leading into the ends of the pockets and having a width less than the width of the pockets for providing abrupt shoulders, the pockets having their opposite sides elastic and the spaces between the pockets being elastic and the tubular bottle necks having their opposite sides elastic and the spaces between the bottle necks being elastic, the free ends of the tubular bottle necks being spaced from the ends of the pockets, stlffening ribs held within the pockets, the ends of the stiffening ribs which engage the abrupt shoulders being at least Wider than the bores of the tubular bottle necks, a garment part arranged adjacent to the extension, and stitching securing the extension to the garment part and passing through the bottle necks and spaced from the ribs.

6. A fabric section formed of longitudinally elastic material and having a pocket woven integral therewith, said pocket including sides and a partition web secured to said sides, the partition web having its free end spaced from the end of the pocket, said pocket also having an entrance opening which has a width less than the width of the pocket, and a stiffening rib for in `sertion within the pocket through the entrance opening, said stiffening rib having a width greater than the width of the entrance opening and also having an opening formed in one end thereof for receiving the partition web, the partition web when arranged within the opening serving -to4 prevent displacement of the rib.

HENRY M. HERBENER. 

